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Piechka A, Sparanese S, Witherspoon L, Hach F, Flannigan R. Molecular mechanisms of cellular dysfunction in testes from men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Nat Rev Urol 2024; 21:67-90. [PMID: 38110528 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-023-00837-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Male factor infertility affects 50% of infertile couples worldwide; the most severe form, non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), affects 10-15% of infertile males. Treatment for individuals with NOA is limited to microsurgical sperm extraction paired with in vitro fertilization intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Unfortunately, spermatozoa are only retrieved in ~50% of patients, resulting in live birth rates of 21-46%. Regenerative therapies could provide a solution; however, understanding the cell-type-specific mechanisms of cellular dysfunction is a fundamental necessity to develop precision medicine strategies that could overcome these abnormalities and promote regeneration of spermatogenesis. A number of mechanisms of cellular dysfunction have been elucidated in NOA testicular cells. These mechanisms include abnormalities in both somatic cells and germ cells in NOA testes, such as somatic cell immaturity, aberrant growth factor signalling, increased inflammation, increased apoptosis and abnormal extracellular matrix regulation. Future cell-type-specific investigations in identifying modulators of cellular transcription and translation will be key to understanding upstream dysregulation, and these studies will require development of in vitro models to functionally interrogate spermatogenic niche dysfunction in both somatic and germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arina Piechka
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sydney Sparanese
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Luke Witherspoon
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Faraz Hach
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ryan Flannigan
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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Chen W, Zhou W, Li Q, Mao X. Sex differences in gene expression and alternative splicing in the Chinese horseshoe bat. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15231. [PMID: 37123006 PMCID: PMC10135408 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexually dimorphic traits are common in sexually reproducing organisms and can be encoded by differential gene regulation between males and females. Although alternative splicing is common mechanism in generating transcriptional diversity, its role in generating sex differences relative to differential gene expression is less clear. Here, we investigate the relative roles of differential gene expression and alternative splicing between male and female the horseshoe bat species, Rhinolophus sinicus. Horseshoe bats are an excellent model to study acoustic differences between sexes. Using RNA-seq analyses of two somatic tissues (brain and liver) from males and females of the same population, we identified 3,471 and 2,208 differentially expressed genes between the sexes (DEGs) in the brain and liver, respectively. DEGs were enriched with functional categories associated with physiological difference of the sexes (e.g.,gamete generation and energy production for reproduction in females). In addition, we also detected many differentially spliced genes between the sexes (DSGs, 2,231 and 1,027 in the brain and liver, respectively) which were mainly involved in regulation of RNA splicing and mRNA metabolic process. Interestingly, we found a significant enrichment of DEGs on the X chromosome, but not for DSGs. As for the extent of overlap between the two sets of genes, more than expected overlap of DEGs and DSGs was observed in the brain but not in the liver. This suggests that more complex tissues, such as the brain, may require the intricate and simultaneous interplay of both differential gene expression and splicing of genes to govern sex-specific functions. Overall, our results support that variation in gene expression and alternative splicing are important and complementary mechanisms governing sex differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Chen
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiwei Zhou
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qianqian Li
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuguang Mao
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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Massive Loss of Transcription Factors Promotes the Initial Diversification of Placental Mammals. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179720. [PMID: 36077118 PMCID: PMC9456351 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
As one of the most successful group of organisms, mammals occupy a variety of niches on Earth as a result of macroevolution. Transcription factors (TFs), the fundamental regulators of gene expression, may also have evolved. To examine the relationship between TFs and mammalian macroevolution, we analyzed 140,821 de novo-identified TFs and their birth and death histories from 96 mammalian species. Gene tree vs. species tree reconciliation revealed that placental mammals experienced an upsurge in TF losses around 100 million years ago (Mya) and also near the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary (K–Pg boundary, 66 Mya). Early Euarchontoglires, Laurasiatheria and marsupials appeared between 100 and 95 Mya and underwent initial diversification. The K-Pg boundary was associated with the massive extinction of dinosaurs, which lead to adaptive radiation of mammals. Surprisingly, TF loss decelerated, rather than accelerated, molecular evolutionary rates of their target genes. As the rate of molecular evolution is affected by the mutation rate, the proportion of neutral mutations and the population size, the decrease in molecular evolution may reflect increased functional constraints to survive target genes.
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Aliakbari F, Eshghifar N, Mirfakhraie R, Pourghorban P, Azizi F. Coding and Non-Coding RNAs, as Male Fertility and Infertility Biomarkers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FERTILITY & STERILITY 2021; 15:158-166. [PMID: 34155862 PMCID: PMC8233923 DOI: 10.22074/ijfs.2021.134602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Semen analysis is usually the first step in the assessment of male fertility. Although analyzes provide valuable information about male fertility, success of cytoplasmic sperm injection using this method is not predictable. In the recent years, studies have shown that sperm quality assessment helps clinicians predict male fertility status based on the expression of biomarkers. To write this article, a comprehensive study was conducted on several RNA transcripts by searching related words on medical information databases by 2018. According to the literature, spermatogenesis based disorders in male infertility have a significant relationship with the expression level of some RNA molecules (like DAZ and PRM1/PRM2 ratio) in semen and testicular tissue. Thus, they might be used as predictor biomarkersto evaluate success rate of testicular sperm extraction (TESE) procedure, but confirmation of this hypothesis requires more extensive research. By comparing the number of RNAs attributed to each fertility disorder in men, it is possible to trace the causes of disease or return fertility to some infertile patients by regulating the mentioned molecules. Further researches can provide a better understanding of the use of RNA expression profiles in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fereshteh Aliakbari
- Men's Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nahal Eshghifar
- Men's Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Mirfakhraie
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parisa Pourghorban
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Sabzevar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Faezeh Azizi
- Non-Communicable Disease Control Department, Public Health Department, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran.
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Markantoni M, Sarafidou T, Kyrgiafini MA, Chatziparasidou A, Christoforidis N, Dafopoulos K, Mamuris Z. Replicating a GWAS: two novel candidate markers for oligospermia in Greek population. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:4967-4972. [PMID: 34097203 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06470-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies have paved the way for the discovery of new markers regarding many diseases, including male infertility. A previous study on Caucasians highlighted 172 polymorphisms for their putative association with male infertility and we attempted to replicate these findings on our dataset comprising of Greek male individuals (n = 360). We retrieved 59 out of 172 polymorphisms and tested for all association models on 278 normospermic men and 82 patients with an abnormal seminogram, later separated into oligozoospermic and asthenozoospermic groups. Our findings indicate that two SNPs (rs2296225 in KIF17, rs7224496 in SMYD4) are associated with male infertility in the Greek population and have not been recorded in literature as of yet. These novel markers need further validation via additional studies and an increased individual number. All in all, replication studies, possess the power to validate existing polymorphisms found across all population and thus increase both statistical significance as well as identify novel potentially diagnostic markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Markantoni
- Laboratory of Genetics, Comparative and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece
| | - Theologia Sarafidou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Comparative and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece
| | - Maria-Anna Kyrgiafini
- Laboratory of Genetics, Comparative and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece
| | | | | | - Konstantinos Dafopoulos
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Department of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece
| | - Zissis Mamuris
- Laboratory of Genetics, Comparative and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece.
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Talouarn E, Bardou P, Palhière I, Oget C, Clément V, Tosser-Klopp G, Rupp R, Robert-Granié C. Genome wide association analysis on semen volume and milk yield using different strategies of imputation to whole genome sequence in French dairy goats. BMC Genet 2020; 21:19. [PMID: 32085723 PMCID: PMC7035711 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-020-0826-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Goats were domesticated 10,500 years ago to supply humans with useful resources. Since then, specialized breeds that are adapted to their local environment have been developed and display specific genetic profiles. The VarGoats project is a 1000 genomes resequencing program designed to cover the genetic diversity of the Capra genus. In this study, our main objective was to assess the use of sequence data to detect genomic regions associated with traits of interest in French Alpine and Saanen breeds. Results Direct imputation from the GoatSNP50 BeadChip genotypes to sequence level was investigated in these breeds using FImpute and different reference panels: within-breed, all Capra hircus sequenced individuals, European goats and French mainland goats. The best results were obtained with the French goat panel with allele and genotype concordance rates reaching 0.86 and 0.75 in the Alpine and 0.86 and 0.73 in the Saanen breed respectively. Mean correlations tended to be low in both breeds due to the high proportion of variants with low frequencies. For association analysis, imputation was performed using FImpute for 1129 French Alpine and Saanen males using within-breed and French panels on 23,338,436 filtered variants. The association results of both imputation scenarios were then compared. In Saanen goats, a large region on chromosome 19 was significantly linked to semen volume and milk yield in both scenarios. Significant variants for milk yield were annotated for 91 genes on chromosome 19 in Saanen goats. For semen volume, the annotated genes include YBOX2 which is related to azoospermia or oligospermia in other species. New signals for milk yield were detected on chromosome 2 in Alpine goats and on chromosome 5 in Saanen goats when using a multi-breed panel. Conclusion Even with very small reference populations, an acceptable imputation quality can be achieved in French dairy goats. GWAS on imputed sequences confirmed the existence of QTLs and identified new regions of interest in dairy goats. Adding identified candidates to a genotyping array and sequencing more individuals might corroborate the involvement of identified regions while removing potential imputation errors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estelle Talouarn
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, F-31326, Castanet Tolosan, France.
| | - Philippe Bardou
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, F-31326, Castanet Tolosan, France.,Sigenae, INRAE, 31326, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Isabelle Palhière
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, F-31326, Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - Claire Oget
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, F-31326, Castanet Tolosan, France
| | | | | | - Gwenola Tosser-Klopp
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, F-31326, Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - Rachel Rupp
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, F-31326, Castanet Tolosan, France
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Decreased levels of H3K9ac and H3K27ac in the promotor region of ovarian P450 aromatase mediated low estradiol synthesis in female offspring rats induced by prenatal nicotine exposure as well as in human granulosa cells after nicotine treatment. Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 128:256-266. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.03.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Lin Z, Tong MH. m 6A mRNA modification regulates mammalian spermatogenesis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2018; 1862:403-411. [PMID: 30391644 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2018.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis is a highly specialized differentiation process involving precise regulatory mechanisms at the transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and translational levels. Emerging evidence has shown that N6-methyladenosine (m6A), an epitranscriptomic regulator of gene expression, can influence pre-mRNA splicing, mRNA export, turnover, and translation, which are controlled in the male germline to ensure coordinated gene expression. In this review, we summarize the typical features of m6A RNA modification on mRNA during male germline development, and highlight the function of writers, erasers, and readers of m6A during mouse spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Ming-Han Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
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Kleene KC. Position-dependent interactions of Y-box protein 2 (YBX2) with mRNA enable mRNA storage in round spermatids by repressing mRNA translation and blocking translation-dependent mRNA decay. Mol Reprod Dev 2016; 83:190-207. [PMID: 26773323 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Many mRNAs encoding proteins needed for the construction of the specialized organelles of spermatozoa are stored as translationally repressed, free messenger ribonucleoproteins in round spermatids, to be actively translated in elongating and elongated spermatids. The factors that repress translation in round spermatids, however, have been elusive. Two lines of evidence implicate the highly abundant and well-known translational repressor, Y-box protein 2 (YBX2), as a critical factor: First, protamine 1 (Prm1) and sperm-mitochondria cysteine-rich protein (Smcp) mRNAs are prematurely recruited onto polysomes in Ybx2-knockout mouse round spermatids. Second, mutations in 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) cis-elements that abrogate YBX2 binding activate translation of Prm1 and Smcp mRNAs in round spermatids of transgenic mice. The abundance of YBX2 and its affinity for variable sequences, however, raise questions of how YBX2 targets specific mRNAs for repression. Mutations to the Prm1 and Smcp mRNAs in transgenic mice reveal that strong repression in round spermatids requires YBX2 binding sites located near the 3' ends of their 3'UTRs as locating the same sites in upstream positions produce negligible repression. This location-dependence implies that the assembly of repressive complexes is nucleated by adjacent cis-elements that enable cooperative interactions of YBX2 with co-factors. The available data suggest that, in vertebrates, YBX2 has the important role of coordinating the storage of translationally repressed mRNAs in round spermatids by inhibiting translational activity and the degradation of transcripts via translation-dependent deadenylation. These insights should facilitiate future experiments designed to unravel how YBX2 targets mRNAs for repression in round spermatids and how mutations in the YBX2 gene cause infertility in humans. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 190-207, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth C Kleene
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts
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Abstract
The hallmarks of premalignant lesions were first described in the 1970s, a time when relatively little was known about the molecular underpinnings of cancer. Yet it was clear there must be opportunities to intervene early in carcinogenesis. A vast array of molecular information has since been uncovered, with much of this stemming from studies of existing cancer or cancer models. Here, examples of how an understanding of cancer biology has informed cancer prevention studies are highlighted and emerging areas that may have implications for the field of cancer prevention research are described. A note of caution accompanies these examples, in that while there are similarities, there are also fundamental differences between the biology of premalignant lesions or premalignant conditions and invasive cancer. These differences must be kept in mind, and indeed leveraged, when exploring potential cancer prevention measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bríd M Ryan
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA..
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11
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Najafipour R, Rashvand Z, Alizadeh A, Aleyasin A, Moghbelinejad S. Association of G/T(rs222859) polymorphism in Exon 1 of YBX2 gene with azoospermia, among Iranian infertile males. Andrologia 2016; 48:956-960. [DOI: 10.1111/and.12537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- R. Najafipour
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center of Qazvin University of Medical Science; Qazvin Iran
| | - Z. Rashvand
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center of Qazvin University of Medical Science; Qazvin Iran
| | - A. Alizadeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center of Qazvin University of Medical Science; Qazvin Iran
| | - A. Aleyasin
- Fertility and Infertility Center of Shariati Hospital; Tehran Iran
| | - S. Moghbelinejad
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center of Qazvin University of Medical Science; Qazvin Iran
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Moghbelinejad S, Najafipour R, Hashjin AS. Comparison of Protamine 1 to Protamine 2 mRNA Ratio and YBX2 gene mRNA Content in Testicular Tissue of Fertile and Azoospermic Men. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FERTILITY & STERILITY 2015; 9:338-45. [PMID: 26644857 PMCID: PMC4671373 DOI: 10.22074/ijfs.2015.4549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Background Although aberrant protamine (PRM) ratios have been observed in infertile
men, the mechanisms that implicit the uncoupling of PRM1 and PRM2 expression remain
unclear. To uncover these mechanisms, in this observational study we have compared the
PRM1/PRM2 mRNA ratio and mRNA contents of two regulatory factors of these genes. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, sampling was performed by a multi-step method from 50 non-obstructive azoospermic and 12 normal men. After RNA
extraction and cDNA synthesis, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-
QPCR) was used to analyze the PRM1, PRM2, Y box binding protein 2 (YBX2) and
JmjC-containing histone demethylase 2a (JHDM2A) genes in testicular biopsies of the
studied samples. Results The PRM1/PRM2 mRNA ratio differed significantly among studied groups,
namely 0.21 ± 0.13 in azoospermic samples and -0.8 ± 0.22 in fertile samples. The amount
of PRM2 mRNA, significantly reduced in azoospermic patients. Azoospermic men exhibited significant under expression of YBX2 gene compared to controls (P<0.001). mRNA
content of this gene showed a positive correlation with PRM mRNA ratio (R=0.6, P=0.007).
JHDM2A gene expression ratio did not show any significant difference between the studied
groups (P=0.3). We also observed no correlation between JHDM2A mRNA content and the
PRM mRNA ratio (R=0.2, P=0.3). Conclusion We found significant correlation between the aberrant PRM ratio (PRM2
under expression) and lower YBX2 mRNA content in testicular biopsies of azoospermic
men compared to controls, which suggested that downregulation of the YBX2 gene might
be involved in PRM2 under expression. These molecules could be useful biomarkers for
predicting male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Moghbelinejad
- Cellular and Molecular Research Centre, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran ; Department of Medical Genetics, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Reza Najafipour
- Cellular and Molecular Research Centre, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran ; Department of Medical Genetics, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Amir Samimi Hashjin
- Cellular and Molecular Research Centre, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
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Najafipour R, Moghbelinejad S, Samimi Hashjin A, Rajaei F, Rashvand Z. Evaluation of mRNA Contents of YBX2 and JHDM2A Genes on Testicular Tissues of Azoospermic Men with Different Classes of Spermatogenesis. CELL JOURNAL 2015; 17:121-8. [PMID: 25870841 PMCID: PMC4393659 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2015.518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Animal model studies have shown that MSY2 and JHDM2A genes have an important role in spermatogenesis process and fertility of male mice. But the potential role of these genes in human spermatogenesis and fertility is not known yet. Therefore, we evaluated expression ratios of these genes in testis tissues of men with normal and impaired spermatogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this experimental study, after RNA extraction and cDNA syn- thesis from 50 non-obstructive azoospermic and 12 normal testis tissues, the expression ratios of genes were evaluated by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Hematoxcylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used for histological classification of testis tissues. For statistical analysis, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was carried out. RESULTS Our results showed a significant reduction in mRNA level of YBX2 in samples with impaired spermatogenesis (p<0.001) compared to samples with qualitatively normal spermatogenesis and normal spermatogenesis; however, in JHDM2A gene, despite sensible reduction in gene expression level in men with impaired spermatogenesis, no significant differences were shown (p>0.05). Furthermore in YBX2, a significant negative correlation was demonstrated between the efficiency score of spermatogenesis and the threshold cycle (CT) (r=-0.7, p<0.0001), whereas in JHDM2A, this negative correlation was not significant (r=-0.4, p=0.06). CONCLUSION Generally, these data indicated that YBX2 and JHDM2A genes may play an important role in male infertility, and suggested that these molecules can act as useful biomarkers for predicting male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Najafipour
- Cellular and Molecular Research Centre, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran ; Department of Medical Genetics, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Sahar Moghbelinejad
- Cellular and Molecular Research Centre, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran ; Department of Medical Genetics, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Amir Samimi Hashjin
- Cellular and Molecular Research Centre, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Farzad Rajaei
- Department of Medical Genetics, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Zahra Rashvand
- Department of Medical Genetics, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
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Cullinane DL, Chowdhury TA, Kleene KC. Mechanisms of translational repression of the Smcp mRNA in round spermatids. Reproduction 2014; 149:43-54. [PMID: 25336347 DOI: 10.1530/rep-14-0394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The protamine 1 (Prm1) and sperm mitochondria-associated, cysteine-rich protein (Smcp) mRNAs exemplify a widespread pattern of mRNA-specific regulation of mRNA translation in post-meiotic spermatogenic cells, spermatids. Both mRNAs are transcribed and initially stored in free-mRNPs in early spermatids, and translated on polysomes in late spermatids. In this study, we demonstrate that the 5' and 3'-UTRs and the 3' terminus of the Smcp 3'-UTR are required for normal repression of the Smcp mRNA in transgenic mice. RNA affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry sequencing identified Y-box protein 2 (YBX2/MSY2) as the major protein that interacts with the 3' terminus of the Smcp 3'-UTR and a Y-box recognition sequence, GCCACCU, in the translation control element that is necessary for Prm1 mRNA repression. Depletion of YBX2 in Ybx2-null mice prematurely activates Prm1 and Smcp mRNA translation in early spermatids. Fluorescent in situ hybridization reveals that the Smcp intron, the Smcp mRNA, and both Smcp-Gfp transgenic mRNAs are strongly concentrated in the chromatoid body, and that theYbx2-null mutation does not eliminate the Smcp mRNA from the chromatoid body. This and previous findings suggest that the Smcp pre-mRNA is spliced and associates with YBX2 in the chromatoid body, and that repressed free-mRNPs are stored in the general cytoplasm. As YBX2 is the predominant protein in testis free-mRNPs, it likely represses many mRNAs in early spermatids. The mechanisms by which YBX2 represses the Smcp and Prm1 mRNAs are relevant to reproductive medicine because mutations in the human YBX2 gene correlate with abnormal protamine expression and male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle L Cullinane
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125-3393, USA
| | - Tamjid A Chowdhury
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125-3393, USA
| | - Kenneth C Kleene
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125-3393, USA
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Ayhan Ö, Balkan M, Guven A, Hazan R, Atar M, Tok A, Tolun A. Truncating mutations in TAF4B and ZMYND15 causing recessive azoospermia. J Med Genet 2014; 51:239-44. [PMID: 24431330 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2013-102102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Azoospermia is the absence of a measurable level of spermatozoa in the semen. It affects approximately 1% of all men, and the genetic basis of the majority of idiopathic cases is unknown. We investigated two unrelated consanguineous families with idiopathic azoospermia. In family 1, there were three azoospermic brothers and one oligozoospermic brother; and in family 2, there were three azoospermic brothers. Testis biopsy in the brothers in family 2 had led to the diagnosis of maturation arrest in the spermatid stage. METHODS Candidate disease loci were found via linkage mapping using data from single nucleotide polymorphism genome scans. Exome sequencing was applied to find the variants at the loci. RESULTS We identified two candidate loci in each family and homozygous truncating mutations p.R611X in TAF4B in family 1 and p.K507Sfs*3 in ZMYND15 in family 2. We did not detect any mutations in these genes in a cohort of 45 azoospermic and 15 oligozoospermic men. Expression studies for ZMYND15 showed that the highest expression was in the testis. CONCLUSIONS Both genes are known to have roles in spermatogenesis in mice but neither has been studied in humans. To our knowledge, they are the first genes identified for recessive idiopathic spermatogenic failure in men. Assuming that recessive genes for isolated azoospermia are as numerous in men as in mice, each gene is possibly responsible for only a small fraction of all cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özgecan Ayhan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey
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16
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Conforto TL, Waxman DJ. Sex-specific mouse liver gene expression: genome-wide analysis of developmental changes from pre-pubertal period to young adulthood. Biol Sex Differ 2012; 3:9. [PMID: 22475005 PMCID: PMC3350426 DOI: 10.1186/2042-6410-3-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2012] [Accepted: 04/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early liver development and the transcriptional transitions during hepatogenesis are well characterized. However, gene expression changes during the late postnatal/pre-pubertal to young adulthood period are less well understood, especially with regards to sex-specific gene expression. METHODS Microarray analysis of male and female mouse liver was carried out at 3, 4, and 8 wk of age to elucidate developmental changes in gene expression from the late postnatal/pre-pubertal period to young adulthood. RESULTS A large number of sex-biased and sex-independent genes showed significant changes during this developmental period. Notably, sex-independent genes involved in cell cycle, chromosome condensation, and DNA replication were down regulated from 3 wk to 8 wk, while genes associated with metal ion binding, ion transport and kinase activity were up regulated. A majority of genes showing sex differential expression in adult liver did not display sex differences prior to puberty, at which time extensive changes in sex-specific gene expression were seen, primarily in males. Thus, in male liver, 76% of male-specific genes were up regulated and 47% of female-specific genes were down regulated from 3 to 8 wk of age, whereas in female liver 67% of sex-specific genes showed no significant change in expression. In both sexes, genes up regulated from 3 to 8 wk were significantly enriched (p < E-76) in the set of genes positively regulated by the liver transcription factor HNF4α, as determined in a liver-specific HNF4α knockout mouse model, while genes down regulated during this developmental period showed significant enrichment (p < E-65) for negative regulation by HNF4α. Significant enrichment of the developmentally regulated genes in the set of genes subject to positive and negative regulation by pituitary hormone was also observed. Five sex-specific transcriptional regulators showed sex-specific expression at 4 wk (male-specific Ihh; female-specific Cdx4, Cux2, Tox, and Trim24) and may contribute to the developmental changes that lead to global acquisition of liver sex-specificity by 8 wk of age. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the observed changes in gene expression during postnatal liver development reflect the deceleration of liver growth and the induction of specialized liver functions, with widespread changes in sex-specific gene expression primarily occurring in male liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara L Conforto
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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Massart A, Lissens W, Tournaye H, Stouffs K. Genetic causes of spermatogenic failure. Asian J Androl 2012; 14:40-8. [PMID: 22138898 PMCID: PMC3735159 DOI: 10.1038/aja.2011.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2011] [Revised: 08/01/2011] [Accepted: 08/11/2011] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately 10%-15% of couples are infertile, and a male factor is involved in almost half of these cases. This observation is due in part to defects in spermatogenesis, and the underlying causes, including genetic abnormalities, remain largely unknown. Until recently, the only genetic tests used in the diagnosis of male infertility were aimed at detecting the presence of microdeletions of the long arm of the Y chromosome and/or chromosomal abnormalities. Various other single-gene or polygenic defects have been proposed to be involved in male fertility. However, their causative effects often remain unproven. The recent evolution in the development of whole-genome-based techniques and the large-scale analysis of mouse models might help in this process. Through knockout mouse models, at least 388 genes have been shown to be associated with spermatogenesis in mice. However, problems often arise when translating this information from mice to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelien Massart
- Center for Medical Genetics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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18
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Transition of basic protein during spermatogenesis of Fenneropenaeus chinensis (Osbeck, 1765). Cytotechnology 2011; 63:581-98. [PMID: 21997709 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-011-9364-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2010] [Accepted: 05/14/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the ultrastructural characteristic observation of the developing male germ cells, spermatogenesis of the crustacean shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis, is classified into spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocyte, four stages of spermatids, and mature sperm. The basic protein transition during its spermatogenesis is studied by transmission electron microscopy of ammoniacal silver reaction and immunoelectron microscopical distribution of acetylated histone H4. The results show that basic protein synthesized in cytoplasm of spermatogonia is transferred into the nucleus with deposition on new duplicated DNA. In the spermatocyte stage, some nuclear basic protein combined with RNP is transferred into the cytoplasm and is involved in forming the cytoplasmic vesicle clumps. In the early spermatid, most of the basic protein synthesized in the new spermatid cytoplasm is transferred into the nucleus, and the chromatin condensed gradually, and the rest is shifted into the pre-acrosomal vacuole. In the middle spermatid, the nuclear basic protein linked with DNA is acetylated and transferred into the proacrosomal vacuole and assembled into the acrosomal blastema. At the late spermatid, almost all of the basic protein in the nucleus has been removed into the acrosome. During the stage from late spermatid to mature sperm, some de novo basic proteins synthesized in the cytoplasm belt transfer into the nucleus without a membrane and almost all deposit in the periphery to form a supercoating. The remnant histone H4 accompanied by chromatin fibers is acetylated in the center of the nucleus, leading to relaxed DNA and activated genes making the nucleus non-condensed.
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Carrell DT, Aston KI. The search for SNPs, CNVs, and epigenetic variants associated with the complex disease of male infertility. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2011; 57:17-26. [PMID: 21208142 DOI: 10.3109/19396368.2010.521615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the genetic basis of idiopathic male infertility has long been the focus of many researchers. Numerous recent studies have attempted to identify relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) through medical re-sequencing studies in which candidate genes are sequenced in large numbers of cases and controls in the search for risk or causative polymorphisms. Two major characteristics have limited the utility of the re-sequencing studies. First, reported SNPs have only accounted for a small percentage of idiopathic male infertility. Second, SNPs reported to have an association with male infertility based on gene re-sequencing studies often fail validation in follow-up studies. Recent advances in the tools available for genetic studies have enabled interrogation of the entire genome in search of common, and more recently, rare variants. In this review, we discuss the progress of studies on genetic and epigenetic variants of male infertility as well as future directions that we predict will be the most productive in identifying the genetic basis for male factor infertility based on our current state of knowledge in this field as well as lessons learned about the genetic basis for complex diseases from other disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas T Carrell
- Andrology and IVF Laboratories, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108, USA.
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20
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Abstract
Epigenetic modifications are widely accepted as playing a critical role in the regulation of gene expression and thereby contributing to the determination of the phenotype of multicellular organisms. In general, these marks are cleared and re-established each generation, but there have been reports in a number of model organisms that at some loci in the genome this clearing is incomplete. This phenomenon is referred to as transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Moreover, recent evidence shows that the environment can stably influence the establishment of the epigenome. Together, these findings suggest that an environmental event in one generation could affect the phenotype in subsequent generations, and these somewhat Lamarckian ideas are stimulating interest from a broad spectrum of biologists, from ecologists to health workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Daxinger
- Epigenetics Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia
| | - Emma Whitelaw
- Epigenetics Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia
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Tamowski S, Aston KI, Carrell DT. The use of transgenic mouse models in the study of male infertility. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2010; 56:260-73. [PMID: 20536325 DOI: 10.3109/19396368.2010.485244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Over the past few decades with the rapid advances in embryo and embryonic stem cell manipulation techniques, transgenic mouse models have emerged as a powerful tool for the study of gene function and complex diseases including male infertility. In this review we give a brief history of the development of tools for the production of transgenic mouse models. This spans the advances from early pronuclear injection to the use of targeted embryonic stem cells to produce gene targeted, conditional, and inducible knockout mouse models. Lastly we provide a few examples to illustrate the utility of mouse models in the study of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Tamowski
- Transgenic and Gene Targeting Mouse Core, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108, USA
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Aston KI, Krausz C, Laface I, Ruiz-Castané E, Carrell DT. Evaluation of 172 candidate polymorphisms for association with oligozoospermia or azoospermia in a large cohort of men of European descent. Hum Reprod 2010; 25:1383-97. [PMID: 20378615 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deq081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In spite of tremendous efforts by a number of groups, the search for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) strongly associated with male factor infertility by means of gene re-sequencing studies has yielded few likely candidates. A recent pilot, genome-wide SNP association study (GWAS) identified a list of SNPs associated with oligozoospermia and azoospermia. This is an expanded follow-up study of the SNPs identified by the GWAS as well as other SNPs from previously published gene re-sequencing studies. METHODS On the basis of the pilot GWAS and SNPs with published associations with male infertility, 172 SNPs were genotyped in men with idiopathic azoospermia or oligozoospermia using the Illumina BeadXpress platform. RESULTS Several SNPs were identified or confirmed to be significantly associated with oligozoospermia and/or azoospermia. More importantly, this follow-up study indicates that, at least in Caucasian men, no single common SNP accounts for a significant proportion of spermatogenic failure cases. CONCLUSIONS The associations reported in this study are promising, but much larger genome-wide studies will be necessary to confidently validate these SNPs and identify novel SNPs associated with male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth I Aston
- Andrology and IVF Laboratories, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Carrell DT, Hammoud SS. The human sperm epigenome and its potential role in embryonic development. Mol Hum Reprod 2009; 16:37-47. [PMID: 19906823 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gap090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Along with many of the genome-wide transitions in chromatin composition throughout spermatogenesis, epigenetic modifications on histone tails and DNA are continuously modified to ensure stage specific gene expression in the maturing spermatid. Recent findings have suggested that the repertoire of epigenetic modifications in the mature sperm may have a potential role in the developing embryo and alterations in the epigenetic profile have been associated with infertility. These changes include DNA demethylation and the retention of modified histones at important developmental, signaling and micro-RNA genes, which resemble the epigenetic state of an embryonic stem cell. This review assesses the significance of epigenetic changes during spermatogenesis, and provides insight on recent associations made between altered epigenetic profiles in the mature sperm and its relationship to infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas T Carrell
- IVF and Andrology Laboratories, Departments of Surgery (Urology), Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Physiology, 675 S. Arapeen Dr, Suite #205, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA.
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Maywood ES, Chahad-Ehlers S, Garabette ML, Pritchard C, Underhill P, Greenfield A, Ebling FJP, Kyriacou CP, Hastings MH, Reddy AB. Differential testicular gene expression in seasonal fertility. J Biol Rhythms 2009; 24:114-25. [PMID: 19346449 PMCID: PMC3398136 DOI: 10.1177/0748730409332029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is an essential precursor for successful sexual reproduction. Recently, there has been an expansion in the knowledge of the genes associated with particular stages of normal, physiological testicular development and pubertal activation. What has been lacking, however, is an understanding of those genes that are involved in specifically regulating sperm production, rather than in maturation and elaboration of the testis as an organ. By using the reversible (seasonal) fertility of the Syrian hamster as a model system, the authors sought to discover genes that are specifically involved in turning off sperm production and not involved in tissue specification and/or maturation. Using gene expression microarrays and in situ hybridization in hamsters and genetically infertile mice, the authors have identified a variety of known and novel factors involved in reversible, transcriptional, translational, and posttranslational control of testicular function, as well those involved in cell division and macromolecular metabolism. The novel genes uncovered could be potential targets for therapies against fertility disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Akhilesh B. Reddy
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge
- Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge
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